How successful is it?

Dental implants have been the subject of over 35 years of intensive research worldwide, proving them to be a safe, effective dental procedure.

With more than three decades of clinical experience and over a million patients treated, implants are highly successful. Dental Implants have a success rate of approximately 95%. The first patient who had dental implants placed in 1965 still has his original implants in function today.

How long do they last?

Clinical studies have shown that implant supported replacement teeth is a viable treatment option. Dental implants have been used to replace teeth for more than 30 years now and have been shown to be very successful.

Dental implants are designed to be permanent. However, many factors contribute to the long-term success of implant treatment such as home care and regular maintenance visits to the dentist.

What materials are used?

Virtually all dental implants in use today are made from titanium or its alloy. The titanium is safe, biocompatible, and is used in medical orthopedic surgeries.

Who is a good candidate?

Nearly everyone who is missing one or more teeth and in general good health is a candidate for dental implant treatment. There are a few medical conditions that can undermine the success of implant treatment such as leukemia and other diseases that affect healing or present a surgical risk. However, there are very few conditions that would keep someone from having implant treatment altogether. Patients healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction are generally healthy enough to have implants placed.

Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor in qualifying for dental implants than medical conditions.

Age is NOT a deterrent. Patients from 15 to 90 years of age have had implants. In some cases the amount of available bone is not sufficient to accept the implant. In these patients, new bone can be often added to allow for proper implant placement.

How long is the recovery process?

Reaction to the placement of implants varies from patient to patient, and is directly related to the number of implants placed. Typically, patients report that the placement of the implant is the same as having a tooth removed. Normally you can resume normal activities the following day.

Where extensive surgery is performed, you may require 4 or 5 days to resume your normal activities.

Is it possible to use my existing denture?

In many cases it is possible. The existing denture can be modified to fit over the implants. However, each case is different. Your dentist may suggest making a new denture or having your present denture relined. The decision will be made in order to provide you with the best possible results.

Can I wear my dentures after surgery?

Yes. The denture will require some minor adjustments. Usually a soft-liner is placed so as not to disturb the healing process. This liner may have to be replaced every one to two months until the final denture is fitted. On occasion, your dentist may ask you to not wear your denture for the first few days immediately after placement of the implants.